Tamil Nadu gears up for a high-profile visit as PM Narendra Modi greenlights the February 28 inauguration of AIIMS Madurai’s initial phase in Thoppur. BJP sources describe it as a game-changer for the state’s overburdened health sector, overcoming chronic delays.
Since its pre-2019 election announcement, the project endured land rows and budget battles, becoming a political football. Yet, with the campus nearing completion, Executive Director M. Hanumant Rao says initial rollout gets PM’s go-ahead.
Expect student transfers from Ramanathapuram temp site, public access to core OPDs and blocks by March, and academics from 2026-27. This phased approach ensures steady ramp-up without overpromising.
Politically, it’s dynamite ahead of assembly polls. DMK’s narrative of central neglect persists, echoed by CM Stalin’s calls for faster execution on vital infra. The launch counters that head-on.
Modi’s agenda likely packs more: project unveilings and an NDA alliance meet. BJP eyes electoral dividends, framing it as proof of Delhi’s southern focus on health and jobs.
As the program solidifies, Madurai stands at a crossroads—where healthcare ambition meets political reality. This event could redefine voter priorities in the Dravidian heartland.